If anybody ever tries to tell you that following your dreams is foolish, remember Jim Henson. That name is recognized in every corner of the globe, and Jim Henson got his fame and fortune...with puppets.

Jim Henson was a genius in a lot of ways but, unfortunately, the licensing of the music from assorted movies and television products has been spotty at best. Historically, most Muppet soundtracks have seen very brief release lives--generally less than two years and often less than that.

Take "Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas". The animated 1977 holiday special has delighted kids of all ages for the last 40 years. It's been released time and time again on DVD, usually selling through quickly. But there has never been an official soundtrack album released for "Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas". An unsanctioned soundtrack, pieced together by a fan, has circulated on the Internets for years and there was an officially licensed "tribute" record from Matt Surowiec released some years ago and re-released at least twice (selling out every time). And there's been an occasional cover version of a tune or two, usually included in some other Muppet related record. But no official soundtrack.

40th ANNIVERSARY DVD

A new listing at Amazon shows a coming Varese Sarabande release, scheduled for November 2, for "Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas". And one has to believe that this is the one we've been waiting for for 41 years. Varese Sarabande has made their name re-issuing long out of print soundtrack albums and issuing soundtrack albums that should have been and never were. That alone gives me confidence that this is the real deal. The Amazon listing credits Paul Williams as the artist. Paul, of course, wrote all the music for the special, winning an Emmy for his efforts. Beyond that, the Internets are as yet silent. But I really do believe this is it.

Songs from the special include:The Bathing Suit That Grandma Otter WoreThere Ain't No Hole In The WashtubWhen The River Meets The SeaBar-B-QueOur WorldBrothersRiverbottom Nightmare BandBrothers In Our World

And don't forget the "lost" song that was cut from the special but turned up on an anniversary DVD, "Born In A Trunk".

As I say, we'll have to wait a bit and see but, if this isn't the real deal (have to caution that this could be an original cast recording of the live action musical), there's going to be some mighty sad faces come Christmas morning. And I'd guess some children will be upset about it, too.

Also of note for you Muppets fans, Disney is releasing the soundtrack for "The Muppet Christmas Carol" on vinyl for the first time ever on September 21. That movie was released in 1992 and it's soundtrack last saw a CD release in 2012. Now let's listen to some more from "Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas".

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I love Christmas, music, and cats. What more do you need to know?Anyone wishing to contact Stubby's for any reason may do so by emailing:​stubbyschristmas@gmail.com.Readers should assume that any item reviewed on this site has been provided by the artist or label in exchange for promotional consideration, whether or not that is actually the case. If you are the copyright holder for any song or image appearing here and wish that item to be removed, please let me know via email and I will remove it forthwith. My intentions are to inform and interest people in your work, so that they might purchase it; not to provide anyone a way to avoid doing so.